Charity

I bought this little decorative vase at the thrift store the other day that said, "Faith Hope Love"  I've seen that phrase on a lot of little store bought crafty things a lot.  Years ago, I thought oh that's cute, its like Faith Hope and Charity.

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 The other day I looked at the vase, and I realize its exactly the same phrase, except one come from the King James Version of the Bible, and the other comes from the New International Bible.  But then it made me sad, for people we are taught the phrase Faith Hope and Love, instead of Faith Hope and Charity.  Charity is so much more full than Love.  Love is something I think we are naturally inclined to do, children naturally love people in their lives. Charity is a high law, a high love, something we work and strive for.
People hurt other people all the time and claim they love that person.  I'm sure they do love that person imperfectly, in their imperfect state that would tempt them to hurt someone.  But you would never hurt anyone if you were filled with Charity for someone.  It would be impossible. Charity is not easily obtained. As an adult I've always felt the word love was a little flat to me.  Charity is anything but flat, its full and all encompassing.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.
Honestly I do feel bad that people are not taught the higher of love, of charity, and are instead only taught the simple word of love.